Flower power
After two decades in senior corporate and general management roles, author of ‘The After-hours Stylist’ Kate Williams shifted her focus to the creative life she had long been nurturing on the flower farm she shares with husband Phil in Prebbleton. Together, the duo have transformed their lifestyle block into a seasonal sanctuary: a […]
Behind Christchurch’s best gardens – Green Giant
Owner-led, locally trusted: the craft behind thriving Christchurch gardens. Behind many of Christchurch’s most beautifully planted gardens is horticulturalist Nathan Neath (pictured), a craftsman with deep plant knowledge and over two decades of experience. As the owner of Green Giant Gardens, Nathan brings international expertise including training with the United Kingdom’s Royal Horticultural […]
Turning your vision into 2026’s game plan
As the year winds down, it’s tempting to just limp over the finish line and “see how things go” next year. With the New Zealand economy slowly emerging from a deep recession, and growth for 2026 expected to be modest rather than spectacular, a clear business plan is no longer optional – it’s […]
The nation’s top architectural talent
What does award-winning national architecture look like? Everything from a large apartment development to poolside changing sheds were crowned at the 2025 New Zealand Architecture Awards. The New Zealand Institute of Architects has announced its 2025 winners, chosen from a shortlist of 61 successful projects at the Local Architecture Awards in eight regions […]
Better business
Canterbury innovators stand out in this year’s sustainable business awards. Canterbury is making its mark in Aotearoa’s sustainability landscape, with a strong showing among the finalists for the 2025 Sustainable Business Awards. From schools to construction firms, and manufacturing to legal and social enterprises, the region is demonstrating practical approaches to environmental and […]
The future of fashion
Christchurch’s budding fashion designers and students of Ara Fashion School presented their 2025 collections to a sold-out crowd at PROSPECT in November. The three-hour student-led show was a runway into the effervescent, inspired sartorial minds of Ōtautahi – and a glimpse down the barrel of the city’s fashion future.
Is white cabinetry dying?
Will 2026 be the year that white cabinetry dies? Results from the annual National Kitchen and Bathroom (NKBA) Survey predict a kitchen colour shake-up in the year to come. From the hundreds of expert designers questioned nationwide, 40% predict earthy kitchens to be all the rage in 2026, a shake-up from the crisp […]
Renewable energy – Vanessa Weenink
This fast-track renewable energy project has been given the green light. In April 2025, Genesis Energy Limited lodged an application to continue operating and maintaining the Tekapo power scheme, which includes Tekapo A and B power stations and substations, and the canal system. National have welcomed this project as the first renewable energy […]
Tackling Christmas angst
From comparing ourselves to the carefully curated Christmas perfection of Instagram influencers to navigating the extra financial pressures of the festive season, this time of year can be a stress minefield. Festive fretting has become an epidemic. While the Christmas and New Year break can be a wonderful time of connection and celebration, […]
